Cuvee De Brieu
Krug
Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend
An older Krug Cuvee purchased in 14 showing a rich apple, pear with a toasty, honeyed, brioche, pastry dough & mineral — 4 months ago
Estate Argyros Santorini
Cuvee Monsignori Assyrtiko 2017
Sniffing upon opening, this had me jumping for joy – and I’m not exaggerating. What an introduction! I immediately chose to decant the wine, although in hindsight I don’t think that’s really necessary. The ‘Cuvee Monsignori’, one of the flagship wines from Estate Argyros in Santorini, is 100% Assyrtiko from ancient (~200 year old) vines, the minimal yield of which is then fermented in stainless steel, and aged for ten months on its lees. The island was never affected by phylloxera, hence the vines’ great age. It’s a muscular, chiseled, lean wine with the precision of the very best Chablis and impeccable concentration of fruit. It carries the smoke of the island’s volcanic soils (this is no floral language: it really smells of it), beautiful flinty reduction, depth and harmony on the palate and a long, saline finish. It may count among the world’s finest whites, and all for around £30 (if you can find it). Why didn’t I buy this by the case? I’ll never know. Superb. — 7 months ago
Clos De La Roilette
Cuvee Christie Fleurie Gamay 2023
2023 is delicious. A little jammy, a little nutty, kind of like a peanut butter jelly sandwich that is weirdly delicious. Big yes for a pre-dinner snack — 3 months ago
Pyritis
Santorini Mega Cuvee Dry White Wine 2021
17 great acidity and fruit — 6 months ago
Lyle Fass
Founder Fass Selections
The new vintage! Yay! Just a stunning nose that is at once confectionary, opulent and chiseled. Just insane. It has that aromatic roundness that very very few wines get. Like an orb of Cassaneas. Lime zest, sea salt, green apple skins. Unreal clarity. What a palate. Concentrated and deep but showing a bit of shock (arrived 5 days ago) and seems a bit clipped on the mid and finish. But man the length tells me this will expand like a peacock’s tail. Unreal density and concentration but is light as a feather. So juicy and acid is very good but it’s no 22 or 21. Think 19 or 17. Nose is so saline. Man the energy and almost tannic grip on the palate is brilliant as it fleshes out. This will be tracked tonight. Wow with a few hours of air this is like a better 18 Cassaneas and that’s the best one ever. This now has an icing on cake texture and outstanding purity, depth, texture and freshness. 9.6. Wow. On Day 2 this is even more elegant and is so close to a 9.7. What a wine! — 5 days ago